Car Accident - File Police Report?

I was in a car accident this morning, I was trying to move into the right lane but the car on the right was moving right along side me so I guess he didn't see my blinkers. Anyways, while I looking at my right side mirror and over my right shoulder, I didn't notice the cars in front of me started to brake. They stopped pretty fast so I was unable to brake in time so I hit one car, and that car hit another car.

Since it's probably my fault I'm willing to pay the minor damages on their cars. But my front bumper and hood (and radiator) were pretty messed up. The damage to their cars is probably no more than a few hundred dollars, and I'm willing to pay their damages, but should I file a police report? I don't want my insurance to go up. No one was hurt as far as I know. I'm in California
Additional Details
The damage to their cars was just paint and a few scratches from my car on their bumper, and an indentation of their license plate frame on the other car in front of them.

Rob

Not sure about California, but in Maryland police reports are only required in accidents involving personal injury, a towed vehicles, or death. It's most likely the same, but can vary from state to state. Filing one won't change anything as far as your insurance premium, you were still at fault.

It does NOT matter how the person in front was driving. If you are following the 2 second rule you should have enough time to respond if you are paying attention. If you rear end someone, you are at fault, it's just the way it is....

Nothing to see here

You should have filed a police report at the scene of the accident - the other people might take advantage of you now.

winnie

You do not have to report the accident to the police, know one was hurt, all the police do here is come out see if anyone has been hurt and provide a crime ref number. Go and get an estimate for your car and the other person car, if it is reasonable, pay for it your self this will stop you loosing your no claims discount, but some insurance would like you to declare the accident, reason for this the other person might change their mind, then you are covered, just tell them if the estimate is the right price you will pay for it directly and this should not affect your insurance, because you have admitted liability.

eric

It sounds like you didn't change lanes as you were intending and hit cars ahead in your lane as you were looking over your right shoulder?

Basically, you have 2 options:
Go though your insurance and they'll pay their damages. If it's minor damages less than $500, I don't think it'll affect your rates that much. Going through insurance would protect you if these people decide to take advantage of you by faking injuries or getting expensive estimates. This is the reason you carry liability insurance, why not use it? And you don't need a police report to file a claim or for the other parties to file a claim. If you file a police report, you'll probably get a ticket for failure to maintain control for having the accident.

Your second option is to pay these damages out of pocket as long it's reasonable and make sure you have them sign a contact saying you're done and not longer responsible for anymore than what you paid them.

zipper

You should have never left the accident site until a cop showed up, your move was a major mistake. If you want your insurance to cover the accident you will need an accident report, and you will most likely get a ticket. If you can take care of the cost out of your pocket, do so. Do not file a report and fix your car yourself. But get a letter from each person involved stating that they are happy with the settlement and hold you now accountable beyond this point. You mite avoid a ticket this way. GOOD LUCK! YOUR GOING TO NEED IT!

sveetlegs

I don't know California laws, but the report may protect you in case someone wants to fake an injury or get rich. I guess if they have your information, then you probably should file one. You should have done it while the cars were present to document the "slight" damage to their cars. I would rather my insurance go up than a fraudulent lawsuit where I lose everything not nailed down.

ara10usa

if u have full coverage u should tell ur insurance. they will fix both cars. or
u can be a bad person lol and say that it was the first persons fault. he stopped too fast and that caused u and the car infront of u to get involovd.

iiidontknowdoyou

YOU don't file a police report the POLICE do! If you didn't call the police there is no report! It doesn't matter if they got hurt or not, you had an accident, it's YOUR fault, your insurance WILL go up!

Beuanny Berainded â˜º

The guy who kept on breaking should hold all the blame! Not you!
Althrough, he might not have seen you're blinkers, that's just irresponsibility, not a crime.

Try requesting the guy who was in front of you to pay for you're damages while you're paying all the other citizens for their damages.

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